[MD] No Hippies Allowed

[Ant McWatt]

Ant McWatt quoted Skip Stone, February 1st:

“The hippy movement erected signposts for all to see. Some warn us of 
impending danger, others direct us towards richer, more fulfilling lives, 
but most show us the road to freedom. Freedom is the paramount virtue in 
this system. Freedom to do as one pleases, go where the flow takes you, and 
to be open to new experiences. This engenders an attitude that allows for 
maximum personal growth.”

(http://hippy.com/hippyway.htm)

Ant McWatt commented on this February 1st:

The above analysis sounds to me more like an anti-thesis to the repressive 
ideology of the Soviet regimes (that we both don’t want to see back again).  
However, when I hear about America and Communists, it always makes me think 
of another repressive ideology that I hope never to see again: namely 
McCarthy and his witch hunts and the resulting cultural “stink” that 
encouraged free thinking people like Robert Pirsig to leave the States in 
the 1950s.

Ant McWatt therefore asks Platt today:

Platt,

As Mr Manilow has now been gagged and sent off on his mule in the interests 
of more serious issues, I’d like to know – as you seem old enough to 
remember it (apologies if not!!!) - if you think there are any lessons to be 
learnt from the McCarthy era.  For instance, are you ever concerned that a 
similar (socially static) era might return?

Best wishes,

Anthony.

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